A Weekend in Kilkenny, Ireland
Recently, a couple of friends and I decided to spend a weekend in Kilkenny. We booked our train tickets for the Irish Rail from Dublin, and chose a hostel that was centrally located. The train ride from Dublin was only about and hour and a half, and we left early Saturday morning so we would have the day to explore.
Transportation from dublin
To get to Kilkenny from Dublin, we opted for the train leaving Heuston station. This took a little under 2 hours to get to Kilkenny.
After arriving to the Kilkenny train station, we had about a 25 minute walk to our hostel.
Once we dropped our belongings off, our weekend in Kilkenny ensued, and we made our way to the first stop of the day which was Kilkenny Castle.
Kilkenny Castle
Visiting Kilkenny Castle is a must if you are in Kilkenny. The restoration of the castle is impeccable, and really gives you an idea of what it would have looked like in the thirteenth century.
The history of the castle is equally as interesting, and you want to spend at least an hour here, and I’d recommend booking a guided tour to really get the full experience. Alternately, self-guided tours are available should you choose to explore on your own.
Book your visit to Kilkenny Castle HERE
Smithwick’s Experience
After leaving the castle, we stopped for a quick bite to eat, then proceeded to make our way over to the Smithwick’s (pronounced Smiddick’s) Brewery for a tasting tour.
For the tour, we had the option of doing the general tasting which includes 1 beer for €16, or the beer flight for €19, so naturally we chose the beer flight.
This is something fun to do if you are visiting Kilkenny with a group of friends or your significant other.
Left Bank
Kilkenny is known for having a fun nightlife scene, and we had been given a couple different recommendations. We ended up going to a bar/club called Left Bank, which has a nightclub-like vibe upstairs and more of a bar/pub feel on the ground floor. The bar opened in 2008, and is actually a renovated Bank Of Ireland Branch. If you are into the nightlife scene, I definitely recommend checking this spot out. It’s free unlike some of the other bars, and it is massive.
Black Abbey
Unfortunately Sunday was rainy and cold, but on our way out of town, we managed to stop in and visit the Black Abbey which was so peaceful and absolutely beautiful.
A weekend in Kilkenny is the perfect escape from the busy city of Dublin. With plenty of historial sites to visit, traditional Irish restaurants, and live music, there’s something here for everyone!
Still looking for more? Check out my blog post on A Road Trip Through Donegal, Ireland!
